[No envelope. Children of Susanna Bates Dickey mentioned in the letter: George and Laura Dickey, Will Guild (married to Ida Jane Dickey), Lizzie Dickey (married to Walter Clarkson), Agnes (Dickey) and Bedford McKeen, Thom Dickey, Ed Dickey. Grandchildren: Libbie and Ellen Guild. Baby Alice was John and Janet Dickey’s first born.]
Musquodoboit December 29, 1909
Dear John and Janet
I am going to try and write a few lines to thank you for your Christmas present. did not send any presents this year I was to sick to make anything, and we feel at least I do as if what I could do would be so small it was not worth while to begin. George has had the Dr tend a sore on his leg over two months and Dr’s bills are not small then he had to have a man to do his fall work, his leg seems to be getting better now he cut his leg nine years ago he got cold in the cut it was quite a while getting well then it got sore this fall in the same spot the Dr thinks he must have bruised it some how that made it get sore. We are having a taste of winter now but not very cold yet we have about a foot of snow I am pleased to know that baby Alice is better and that you have had a good harvest and good health that is the best of all, Well Christmas has come and gone we were all down at Wills for our dinner all but Laura she was to sick to go we spent a verry pleasant day Libbie and her man were home all of the family were home but Ellen she is in the states, she was going to have her dinner with Lizzie, and Agness and Bedford were going there to they would likely enjoy themselves We had a letter from Thom he said he expected to cook his own dinner it made me feel sad to think of him all alone we never get any word from Ed’s folk we have written to him twice but go no answer he may have moved and not got the letters but I think he might write and let us know where he is. Harry Guild’s wife has a young baby girl, Willie is about nine years old. Mr and Mrs Archibald have not got to NS yet they were in New York when they wrote last, if I felt able I would write about the births marriages and deaths but I am getting shaky that I will have to stop George and Laura wish you a happy New Year. I wish you the same and may the new year be both prosperous and happy
again thanking you for your present I remain as ever your loving Mother